Meschiidae, a new family of Lygaeoidea (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) from India and Australia, with descriptions of a new genus and two new species
Author
Malipatil, M. B.
text
Zootaxa
2014
3815
2
233
248
journal article
45493
10.11646/zootaxa.3815.2.4
85c40e93-e700-4f32-af94-8a55b691097c
1175-5326
252242
7905A2A8-97FE-424F-8FD0-C5090FFF8401
Meschia
Distant, 1910
(
Figs. 1–33
)
Meschia
Distant, 1910
: 36
–37.
Type
species:
Meschia pugnax
Distant, 1910
, original designation.
Redescription.
Head
: much broader than long (
Figs. 2
,
14
,
24
); anterior to eyes almost parallel-sided and slightly incurved at antennifers; antennifers produced anteriorly and rounded to a shiny smooth pad-like area ventrally (
Fig. 3
). Clypeus prominent, somewhat strongly produced, slightly exceeding juga;. Head dorso-ventrally narrowed from base to apex; ventrally deeply furrowed to receive labium (
Figs. 3
,
25
); bucculae extending posteriorly to about three-fourths length of head (
Fig. 3
). Ocelli on extreme basal margin, nearer to eyes than to each other. Labium long, 1st segment reaching base of head, 2nd segment longest. Labrum about one-fourth length of 1st labial segment. Antennae robust, with 1st segment short not passing apex of head, 2nd longest, 3rd and 4th subequal in length, segments 2–4 of equal thickness.
Thorax
: Pronotum very large, much broader than long (
Fig. 2
), lateral margins slightly sinuate; posterior lateral angles sub-prominent; anterior margin prominent and almost appearing as a very slight collar; posterior margin slightly transversely ridged (
Figs. 13, 14
); with transverse impression demarking anterior lobe; coarsely punctate above and on pleura, each puncture with a short scale-like seta. Scutellum large, a little broader than long, coarsely punctate, with a low mid-longitudinal carinate ridge. Thoracic pleura with coarse punctures, evaporative area distinct from adjoining area. Hemelytral membrane slightly passing abdominal apex and with a distinct basal cell and five longitudinal veins. Clavus longitudinally punctate in more or less 3 complete rows, inner row less complete (
Figs. 1
,
22
); corium faintly punctate, more prominently near claval and costal margins.
Hind
wing with hamus completely absent, intervannals indstinct, anterior vannal and posterior vannal present, jugal vein indistinct.
Abdomen
: Abdominal connexivum either exposed or fully covered beyond middle of corium. Sutures between terga III–IV, IV–V and V–VI curved caudad as in
Fig. 5
. Trichobothria present, as in
Fig. 6
.
Female genitalia
: Spermatheca (
Fig. 32
) generally short, bulb moderately sclerotized, with a distinct basal rim but no flange; duct short, saccoid, narrowing to 2–3 tightly coiled turns. Ovipositor As in
Figs. 30, 31
.
Male genitalia
: Pygophore as in
Fig. 7
. Paramere as in
Figs. 8
,
19
; with long setae; blade sickle-shaped, broadly pointed. Aedeagus as in
Figs. 9–12
, long and tubular; phallotheca lightly pigmented; ejaculatory reservoir (
Fig. 12
) large, with body and wings moderately developed, wings slightly wrapped around body, neck not prominent; vesica short and slightly pigmented; helicoid process slightly irregularly sclerotized (
Figs. 11
,
20, 21
); gonoporal process beyond helicoid process short, with 2–4 narrow coils, and slightly flared tip (
Fig. 11
).